Transitioning
from silent movies to “talkies” challenged any number of local movie theaters
in the United States. Elk River held a
unique position in entertainment history as the local newspaper documented and
criticized the efforts to introduce sound motion pictures to Sherburne
County.
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| Advertisement for the first sound motion picture at the Elk Theatre, March 1930 |
The
manager of the Elk Theatre announced plans to introduce “talkies” in the spring
of 1930. Referred to as “Manager Kizer,”
the Sherburne County Star News
reported the theater manager would close entertainment spot in February. After two weeks of redecorating and
remodeling, “talkies” would entertain the Sherburne County public. The theater set a goal of February 22, 1930
to introduce the new technology. Kizer
missed his deadline and opened in March.
The
technology to the new motion pictures “gives the very best of sound picture
effects,” Kizer promised. And, with much
fanfare and advertising, the first motion picture with sound in Elk River
offered two different selections. The
grand opening featured a musical, “Words and Music.” A midweek offering featured Will Rogers in
the movie “They Had To See Paris.” Unfortunately,
reviews of the “talkies” suggested the sound from the films was an inferior
form of entertainment. The newspaper
noted a “rasping and echoing which bothered a great deal.” Kizer and the newspaper speculated the
theater needed some renovations to improve acoustics. The
Elk Theatre discontinued “talkies” until the sound issues could be
resolved.
After
some renovation work, motion pictures with sound reappeared in the Elk Theatre
in September of 1930. The reintroduction
of sound featured a well known movie, “The Sophomore” starring Eddie Quillen
and Sally O’Neil. The Star News
reported a much improved sound system with the theater renovations.
The
newspaper failed to review the improvements to the theater. But, the hard work of Kizer must have paid
off. The theater continued to show
“talkies” while the silent motion pictures ended in Elk River.
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